Tuesday, March 31, 2015, 3:55 p.m.

Laman Library offering free music downloads

LITTLE ROCK  Laman Library in North Little Rock has become the first library in the state to offer free music downloads through its website.

The facility announced Monday that its patrons will have access to Freegal, a downloadable music service featuring hundreds of thousands of Sony Music tracks. Laman cardholders will be able to download three songs each week for free.

"We strive to provide our patrons with access to culture in all its forms," Laman Executive Director Jeff Baskin said in a news release. "Music is as important to culture as literature, film, fine art and the performing arts. So it makes sense to offer this service since it fits our mission of providing ... the community with culturally significant information resources."

A number of libraries across the country have added the downloading service, but officials say they have confirmed Laman is the first to do so in Arkansas.